Mastroeni becomes first MLS field player to play in 16 seasons

Colorado Rapids captain Pablo Mastroeni entered another record book on Saturday.

When the veteran midfielder started the Rapids' season opener at FC Dallas, he became the first field player in Major League Soccer history to play at least one match in 16 seasons. It was also Mastroeni's first MLS game since March 18, 2012, having missed the remainder last season with concussion symptoms.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the only other player to appear in a match in 16 MLS seasons was former goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, who is not with a club at the start of the League's 18th year. Another goalkeeper, Matt Reis, will become the third player to reach the milestone when - if - he appears in his first match for the New England Revolution this season.

Forward Jaime Moreno, and former Colorado defender Tyrone Marshall and goalkeeper Zach Thornton - who are all retired - were the other players to appeared in games in 15 different seasons.

Mastroeni entered MLS in 1998 with the Miami Fusion. He was acquired by the Colorado Rapids in 2002 in the Allocation Draft after Miami was contracted, and holds several Rapids all-time records, including most games played, games started, and minutes played.